'I was arrested over a meme' Britain's free speech crisis explained

It’s time the police ended their investigations into people’s supposedly offensive online posts and focussed on preventing real crime. Steven Edginton explores in a film for The Telegraph whether the UK faces a free speech crisis after a string of arrests over online memes. Watch the full film above.

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[jimjoelliejack]

I’ve lived in the UK for 60 years now, I am truly depressed and despondent at the direction that this country has taken, it’s complete madness. George Orwell must have had a crystal ball.

[jhfdhgvnbjm]

Do we have free speech in Britain? I'm not allowed to say...

[TheRetroManRandySavage]

Someone was stabbed at the top of my Street last week. The police still haven't found the low life criminal. No doubt too busy out arresting folks for saying words.

[marcatteberry]

Sending the police to investigate a joke, said by a comedian, at a paid event, is a clear sign that the government needs reform.
Ask James Acaster.

[whome]

Arresting people for causing "hurty feelings"!? FFS!

[leonardgibney]

The police come to tell tweeters to 'change their thinking'. It's not OUR thinking that's needs changing, it's THEIRS.

[karl]

Free speech is at stake. People shouldn't be arrested for causing offence.
The law needs to be changed if it allows the police to do this.

[furtwangler]

"The only question is... 'Are we on the right side of the Law'. "

Not quite.... the Gestapo were 'on the right side of the law'...
'The Law' is merely the means by which those who hold power enforce their will.

[jf]

All good British humble British folk, should be mot thankful for this brave courageous gentleman.

[Carma]

I find it barking mad that the UK police concern themselves with people who “like” videos or have a personal opinion.

[Adamska_]

George Orwell wrote 1984 as a warning for posterity… And now thought crime is real, what the hell

[robertferguson]

Some of these British police officers need to lose their jobs.

[matthewc]

This video is exactly why I'll never, ever have a Twitter account. I've survived nearly 4 decades without a Twitter account and I'll quite happily make do without one for the rest of my life.

[two_tier_gary_rumain]

I wonder why, after years of blocking comments, The Telegraph decides to allow comments on this video.

[tonybmw]

I likely disagree with Harry Miller on many things but I'll stand up and defend his right to say them.

[jamesoneill]

I remember the Liverpool police poster saying 'being offensive is a crime'. That left them red faced!

[outlawbillionairez]

The only response to offensive speech is MORE speech.

[charlesstewart]

We're all living in a free world. In Britain we're free as long as we do as we're told!

[Man_of_Tomorrow]

A few weeks ago the Guardian had an article about how we needed STRICTER speech laws, but after protestors were arrested for saying mean things to Prince Andrew they ran an article about how important Freedom of Speech is. A lot of people here are very blasé about laws against free speech until the tide shifts and they themselves become the target. It's incredibly important that this isn't a partisan issue. Free speech shouldn't be the fight of any one side, it benefits everyone.

[neilchaplin]

Absolutely ridiculous! This isn’t policing!